chain slipping- back to the LBS?

**fastdogs** · 10-29-2007, 06:54 PM

I just got a new Trek 7200 last thursday. Yesterday and today, I noticed the chain slipping- not jumping out of gear, but just like- slipping. It didn't do it on the 14 mile ride saturday, just started sunday.
Is there something I can learn to do myself, or do I need to take it back to the bike shop? They told me there that sometimes with a new bike they have to make adjustments at first (I had it back for the handlebars coming loose).
vickie

**boy in a kilt** · 10-29-2007, 07:07 PM

Um, what do you mean by slipping?

Is it in the front or rear?

If it's in the rear, it may be very easy to fix. If you've taken your rear wheel off since you've bought it, try loosening up your rear quick release and making sure both sides of the axle are touching the drop-outs.

It may also be a little bit of cable stretch.

**fastdogs** · 10-30-2007, 06:09 AM

sorry- definitely the rear. It's like when you're pedaling, your foot suddenly jumps forward, sometimes three or four times in succession. Even on level ground, just pedaling easily, it'll slip- feels like it's jumping the teeth. It doesn't change gears on it's own. I haven't removed the rear wheel, but can check the quick release. I guess the cable can stretch with new bikes, so I'll bring it to work tomorrow to drop it off at the bike shop. Hopefully it'll do it for them so they know what I'm talking about.
vickie

**DebW** · 10-30-2007, 06:14 AM

What you describe is typical of a worn out chain and/or cassette. Shouldn't happen with brand new components. Does it happen on any/all of the rear cogs, or just one?

**fastdogs** · 10-30-2007, 06:22 AM

seems like 3-4-5 in the rear.
vickie

**DebW** · 10-30-2007, 06:58 AM

Hmmm... Is this a sleazy shop? Did they put a used cassette on your new Trek and keep the good one for sell for $80? If they don't have a good explanation for what's wrong, insist on a brand new cassette.

**fastdogs** · 10-30-2007, 07:25 AM

hmm, I didn't think so.. it's ghisallo sports in chesterfield missouri. they give lifetime maintenance with the bikes they sell, so I'm sure I can get it fixed. I'll see what they say was causing it, when I take it in. I always worry, with something intermittant like this, that they won't be able to reproduce it when I take the bike in.
vickie

**mimitabby** · 10-30-2007, 07:35 AM

Take it back and tell them what's wrong.
I had a chain problem in the front on my new bike. VERY intermittent. Took it back within 30 days of my purchase and they couldn't find anything. Rode it for another few months; and by now, I was getting REALLY gunshy about not being able to get the gears to engage when going from the middle chain ring to the climbing gear (it would slip or LOCK UP!!)
I took it back in after doing a couple metric centuries. This time they were very careful and looked harder. They decided that the rear derailleur hanger was slightly bent. They gently suggested that i could have done it by dropping the bike. (sorry; i haven't dropped the bike, and it's been like this from the get go)
they fixed it free and I paid for a new chain.

and now it's ALL BETTER

so get back there and tell them.

**OakLeaf** · 10-30-2007, 10:29 AM

You could just be describing a rear derailleur that's out of adjustment. If it's trying to pull the chain onto the next cog, but not quite making it, you could maybe describe that as "slipping." New cables always stretch and need a little tightening up. That's easily done, but if you've never done it before, let your LBS show you, especially since you have free maintenance and none of us is completely sure what you're describing.

**fastdogs** · 10-30-2007, 12:29 PM

I called them and I'm bringing it in tomorrow (it'll be tough- supposed to be in the 70's tomorrow and the bike shop is out on the flat land by chesterfield airport- I will HAVE to go for a ride, long lunch tomorrow)
He said it's probably the cables stretching, and will just take a few seconds to fix.
vickie

**smilingcat** · 10-30-2007, 01:12 PM

Don't panic. Oakleaf's got it right.

You said a new bike. So its a matter of cable streching and your indexed shifter needs a slight adjustment on the barrel screw. Not a big deal. It might take two or three more times with the barrel screw to let the indexing and the cable to settle down. a less than a 5 minute job.

smilingcat

**PinkPilot** · 10-30-2007, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by fastdogs

I called them and I'm bringing it in tomorrow (it'll be tough- supposed to be in the 70's tomorrow and the bike shop is out on the flat land by chesterfield airport- I will HAVE to go for a ride, long lunch tomorrow)
He said it's probably the cables stretching, and will just take a few seconds to fix.
vickie

Ohhhh..Chesterfield Airport Rd on a beautiful day.....you're killing me here......

**fastdogs** · 10-31-2007, 11:30 AM

Just got back, they adjusted it in just a few minutes. It did do the slipping while on the stand, so they were able to see what I was talking about. It was just cables stretching, so they tightened them up.
The bike shop is in chesterfield valley; miles of flat, wide, bike friendly roads, and it was in the low 70's. Although I only had about 20-30 minutes for lunch, I went for a ride, couldn't resist it. No problems with slipping. It was very windy, so even though it was flat I still had to work going out, but coming back I could relax. What an enjoyable way to spend my lunch break (with the trip to the shop, the ride, and the trip back, it was too long a lunch break, but nobody noticed).
vickie

**smilingcat** · 11-01-2007, 12:18 PM

Oh forgot to mention...

If you start experiencing similar thing in another two to three weeks. just turn the barrel screw counter clockwise by about a quater to half a turn.

Before you experience the "slippage" as you call them, the first indication you'll notice is that shifting becomes sloggish and not so responsive.

After that you shouldn't have any more trouble.
Smilingcat

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